Houston @ Texas preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 27, 2010 ) Houston 1, Texas 10

THE STORY: After playing 17 of their last 20 games on the road, the Texas Rangers are happy to be home. The Rangers begin a six-game homestand on Monday when they face the Houston Astros, who won two of three against the Los Angeles Dodgers over the weekend. The Rangers are home for 16 of their next 19 games, with the other three in Houston.

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, FS Houston, FSSW

PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros LHP J.A. Happ (3-8, 4.95) vs. Rangers LHP Derek Holland (5-2, 4.78)

Happ allowed two runs on six hits in five innings while striking out seven against the Pirates last Wednesday. He has allowed three or less earned runs in eight of his last 10 starts. He is 1-0 with a 3.04 ERA in four career interleague starts.

Holland gave up six runs on seven hits and five walks over five innings last Wednesday against the Yankees. He has given up eight home runs over his last five starts. Holland is 0-2 with a 4.91 ERA in five career interleague starts.

ABOUT THE ASTROS (27-46): After being scratched from Saturday’s starting lineup, right fielder Hunter Pence was diagnosed with a sprained left elbow on Sunday. Pence reportedly has no tears or ligament damage, and he’s listed as day-to-day. The Astros don’t expect him to play in the Texas series, but he could return on Friday for the series opener against Tampa Bay. Brett Wallace’s batting average is a very respectable .308 despite going 0-for-4 in Sunday’s loss. However, Wallace has just four RBIs and no home runs in 17 June games, with just four home runs and 21 RBIs for the season. As long as he’s hitting in the middle of the lineup, the Astros are going to need more run production from their promising first baseman. Maybe the Dodgers should trade for Brett Myers, who's reportedly on the trading block. With his complete game last Friday, he lowered his career ERA to 2.92 at Dodger Stadium.

ABOUT THE RANGERS (38-35): It doesn’t appear former Cy Young winner Brandon Webb (shoulder) is anywhere close to joining the Rangers after he allowed six hits and four runs in two-thirds of an inning in a rehab start for Double-A Frisco on Sunday. Tanner Scheppers (back) made his season debut Sunday for Frisco and struck out four over two scoreless innings. One of the Rangers’ top pitching prospects, Scheppers could join the team’s bullpen in the second half. In other news from Frisco, reliever Darren O'Day (hip) will begin a rehab assignment Monday, and he could rejoin the Rangers by the end of the month. Scott Feldman (knee) threw five innings of no-hit ball for Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday, and he could be ready to join the Rangers as a starter soon. Eric Hurley (concussion) will begin his minor league rehab assignment by starting for Triple-A Round Rock on Monday.

FINAL PITCH: The Rangers are 23-9 in their last 32 games against teams from the National League Central. The Rangers are 10-2 against the Astros over the last two seasons, outscoring them 71-36.